Mindset: conversation, not campaigns
Sales and Marketing act as one team
Clearly defined ideal customer profile
Universal lead definition
Effective lead management process
Database treated as a valued asset
Multi-modal lead generation portfolio
Consistent lead nurturing
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8 Critical Success Factors For Lead Generation
1. Start with a lead®
8 Critical Success Factors for Lead Generation
Brian Carroll, CEO InTouch and
author of Lead Generation for the Complex Sale
2. The 8 Critical Success Factors
1. Mindset: conversation, not campaigns
2. Sales and Marketing act as one team
3. Clearly defined ideal customer profile
4. Universal lead definition
5. Effective lead management process
6. Database treated as a valued asset
7. Multi-modal lead generation portfolio
8. Consistent lead nurturing
3. Lead Generation = Build Relationships
Identify the right people and companies
Initiate a memorable conversation
Nurture them, regardless of timing to buy
Bonus Tip: 90% of B2B customers want their sales person to be more of a resource.
- Cahners Study
4. Factor 1: Mindset: Conversations vs. Campaigns
• The trusted advisor
– They know you and had a consistent dialog
– You are credible
– They believe you can help them
– They like you and want to work with you
“How you sell me is how you will serve me”
5.
6. Factor 2: Marketing and Sales – One Team
• Our Culture – treat leads as a valued asset
• Shared vision – why are we here?
• Alignment of expectations
– What gets measured gets done
– How is marketing team measured?
– How is sales team measured?
– Tie the measurements together
• What’s your job?
• Ability to track and manage leads (process)
7. Factor 3: Clearly Defined Ideal Customer Profile
• Sweet spot – ideal fit
– Who do we serve?
– What problem do they face?
– What do we enable them to do?
– What does that mean to them?
Resource: “What’s a Lead? Improve ROI With a Better Lead Qualification Process”
http://www.targetmarketingmag.com/story/story.bsp?sid=39121&var=story
8. Factor 4: Your Universal Lead Definition
• Allow leads to be scored and prioritized
• Defines the degree of sales readiness
• Requires buy in from sales and marketing
Resource: “How to Precisely Define a "Lead" Before Marketing Begins”
http://www.startwithalead.com/article.asp?ARTICLEID=283
9. Factor 4: Your Universal Lead Definition
Spectrum for Sales Lead Definition
A response from an individual to a marketing campaign, or
Level 1 someone who has taken proactive steps to demonstrate
interest in your message, product or service.
A meaningful interaction (via phone or email) with an individual
Level 2 meeting the requirements of a fully qualified company and
audience.
Hand off Level 2, plus the individual demonstrates a specific need for
Level 3
To Sales and interest in your product or service.
Level 3, plus the individual is in the process of defining a
Level 4 requirement for your product or service.
Level 4, plus the individual has the responsibility, budget
Level 5 and a defined timeline for purchase.
Source: SiriusDecisions Lead Spectrum 2006 Lead Metrics Study (used with permission)
10. Factor 5: Effective Lead Management
Lead Generation: Teleprospecting, Events, Email Campaigns, Podcasts, Website etc.
Qualify Inquiries (Level 1) Not a Fit
Marketing Nurture (Level 2)
Pipeline
Return Prospects
Sales Ready
For Reengagement
Leads
CRM
Closed Loop
Feedback &
Reporting
Distribute & Handoff
Sales
Opportunities Generated
Leads
Existing
Sales Clients
Pipeline
Lead Generation for the Complex Sale
By Brian Carroll (McGraw-Hill 2006)
Measure ROI
Permission Granted by InTouch, Inc. Customers
11. Factor 5: Effective Lead Management
Tracking and Managing Your Leads
Step Status Description
M-0 Raw Inquiry New inquiry awaiting qualification
M-1 Qualifying Actively qualifying inquiry to determine if "sales ready" or nurture
M-2 Nurturing Nurturing is in progress
M-3 Sales Ready Lead Lead qualified by phone as "sales ready" and sent to sales to be pursued
S-1 Sales Ready Lead Sales Rep calls and determines if lead is actually a viable opportunity
S-2 Opportunity Viable opportunity sales rep actively pursuing
S-3 Profiled Completed written proposal profile and review opportunity assessment
S-4 Proposed Proposal delivered and reviewed with potential customer via phoned or in person
S-5 Committed Potential customer verbally agreed and gave "yes" to proposal - agreement sent
S-6 Active Contract Agreement is approved and signed with start-up retainer invoice sent
S-0 Reengage Was Prospect and dropped out of the sales pipeline and starting over
M-0 Follow-up Sent to marketing for qualification, rescheduling or continued lead nurturing
M-0 Returned This clearly wasn't a lead - returned back to marketing / teleprospecting team
12. Factor 6: Your Database is a Valued Asset
• Regular pipeline analysis
• # Of inquiries? (Weak)
• # Of leads? (Okay)
• # Of leads in sales process? (Better)
• # Of closed deals? (Best)
• Sales reporting
• Conversion rates by sales stage
• Closed loop feedback
• Calculate investment per sale
13. Factor 6: Your Database is a Valued Asset
Tracking ROI Based on Closed Deals
ds
le a
va ads
i ng
al l
nc
le
e
i qu
of
of
ad
Un
%
%
Sales Handoff - Sales Ready Lead 149
Pipeline - Opportunity 102 68.5% 68.5%
Pipeline - Profiled 75 50.3% 73.5%
Pipeline - Proposed 28 18.8% 37.3%
Pipeline - Committed 15 10.1% 53.6%
Contract 11 7.4% 73.3%
Lead Generation KPIs
Lead to Opportunity Rate 68.5%
Lead to Proposal Rate 19%
Lead to Win Rate 7.4%
Bonus tip: Jointly review your definition of a sales
lead frequently to ensure it stays relevant
14. Factor 6: Your Database is a Valued Asset
Executive Dashboard for ROMI
16. Factor 8: Consistent Lead Nurturing
Relevant and consistent dialog with viable
potential customers, regardless of their
timing to buy.
Bonus Tip: 90% of B2B customers want their sales person to be more of a resource.
- Cahners Study
17. Factor 8: Consistent Lead Nurturing
Developing A Lead Nurturing Program
1. Understand your audience
2. Develop your strategy
3. Execute and Track
18. Developing A Lead Nurturing Program
Step 1: Understand Your Audience
Interview your best clients and prospects
• What are their priorities and challenges?
• What difference did you make?
• What’s your value proposition?
19. Step 1: Understand Your Audience
Other Project
Internal Departments Priorities
Team Business
Members Unit Leaders
Economic
Buyer
Industry Consultants
Affiliations and Advisors
Business External
Analysts Other
Suppliers
Business Media
and Journals
20. Step 1: Understand Your Audience
Your Database is the Hub
Target Company Best Buy
Company Lead Classification
Industry
Identify Employees
Firmographics & Sales
Assigned Rep
Compile Notes Company Notes
Company Web URL
Minneapolis New York Dallas Las Vegas
Identify Site Type Site Type Site Type Site Type
Headquarters & Site Address Site Address Site Address Site Address
Site Site Site Site
Sites Qualification Qualification Qualification Qualification
Site Web URL Site Web URL Site Web URL Site Web URL
Brian Carroll Michelle Passe Pat Lorch
CIO Dir. eBusiness VP, Supply Chain
Identify & Qualify Lead Classification Lead Classification Lead Classification
Contact Info Contact Info Contact Info
Contacts Conversation Notes Conversation Notes Conversation Notes
Qualification Responses Qualification Responses Qualification Responses
Qualification Comments Qualification Comments Qualification Comments
Contact History Contact History Contact History
21. Step 2: Develop Your Strategy
Your one-year plan
• Whom do you want to nurture? (viable)
• Message Map (relevant)
• Organize content (relevant)
• What frequency? (consistent)
22. Step 2: Develop Your Strategy
Whom Do You Nurture? (Viable)
Champions
for your
solution
Influencers
for your
solution
In a complex sale - 70%
of brand perception
comes from direct contact
with sales person.
23. Step 2: Develop Your Strategy
Be Relevant
• How do they work?
• What is their functional role?
• What are their anticipated needs?
• What are their priorities and challenges?
24. Step 2: Develop Your Strategy
Message Map Based on Role (Relevant)
25. Step 2: Develop Your Strategy
Filter and Organize Relevant Content
– Third-party articles
– By-lined articles
– White papers
– Research reports
– Newsletter/E-Newsletter
– Events: webinars, seminars, teleseminars
– Archived media (recorded events)
– Podcasts
– Blog posts
– E-books
– Case studies / Success stories
26. Step 3: Execute & Track (consistent)
• Define tactics for execution
• Use a multi-modal approach
• Develop your timelines (regardless of
timing to buy)
29. Step 3: Execute & Track
Lead Nurturing Timeline (Consistent)
Plan A
Initial contact Introductory phone call and follow-up e-mail.
Month 1 E-newsletter with voice mail alert to check.
Month 2 Recent customer success story via e-mail.
Month 3 Personal direct mail invitation from salesperson to forthcoming
seminar with follow-up call.
Month 4 Case study and personalized transmittal letter.
Month 5 Recent Internet article of interest via e-mail with follow up call.
Month 6 Just touching base note via e-mail.
Month 7 Free report via direct mail with follow-up letter and call.
Month 8 Prospect calls you to become a qualified lead.
30. The 8 Critical Success Factors
1. Mindset: conversation, not campaign
2. Sales and Marketing act as one team
3. Clearly defined ideal customer profile
4. Universal lead Definition
5. Effective lead management process
6. Database treated as a valued asset
7. Multi-modal lead generation portfolio
8. Consistent lead nurturing
31. Case Study: Before Lead Nurturing
• No early stage leads actively nurtured
• 1 Contact engaged per company
• 2 touch points per contact
• 40% contacts provide e-mail addresses
• 21% Lead to Opportunity Rate (sales pursuit after hand off)
• 4% Lead to Sale Rate (sales converted from marketing leads)
Resource: "On marketing going beyond the Lead for Sales"
http://blog.startwithalead.com/weblog/2007/03/drive_your_lead.html
32. Case Study: Year-End Results Achieved
• 88% of early stage leads actively nurtured (none before)
• 3+ contacts engaged per company (200% improvement)
• 8 touch points per contact (300% improvement)
• 89% more opportunities in sales pipeline from leads
• 7% Lead to Sales Conversation Rate (75% improvement)
• Regular marketing pipeline analysis
• Sales reporting
– Closed loop feedback
– Conversion rates by stage
33. Thank you
Brian Carroll
CEO
InTouch
651.255.7700 x640
Bcarroll@startwithalead.com
Other lead generation resources:
www.startwithalead.com
www.leadgenerationbook.com
http://blog.startwithalead.com